Why Don't You Promote Yourself and Your Writing?

More often than not, the clients who hire me to help them with their book proposals have plenty of passion about their subjects and projects. They may even feel a deep sense of purpose and determination. They really want to finish their books and get them published.

Yet, most of them have not spent enough time–or any time–building an author’s platform. Therefore, that section of their proposal remains empty.

This means they haven’t promoted themselves or their writing.

Aspiring authors’ ability–or rather willingness–to promote themselves and their work can mean the difference between getting a publishing contract or a rejection letter from a publisher or between producing a successful or an unsuccessful self-published book. Great and continuous promotion leads to readers. Readers equate to success.

Most writers offer me the same answer when I ask them why they won’t promote themselves or their work: I don’t want to do that business stuff; I just want to write.

They want nothing to do with this activity. In fact, some even refuse to take part in “self-promotion” even though it means the difference between successful or unsuccessful publication attempts. They’d rather remain writers rather than authors before they promote themselves and their writing.

I think these writers must have more reasons…maybe they have fears?

So, tell me: Why don’t you like to promote yourself? What stops you from building an author’s platform?

Please leave your comments here so I can better understand and address the issues you face and help you reach your goals as writers.